thinking about breastfeeding, but the idea seems sort of perverted to me?

Question

I am 20 weeks along with my first baby. A girl. I know that breast feeding is best, and its a very natural thing to do. However, the idea of it makes me feel perverted or something? Is that odd? Im sure my perception will change once the little one is around but has anyone else ever felt the same? What percentage of women breastfeed anyways?

Answer 1

Society today puts that "perverted" image in your head. Its not necessarily your fault and if you've never been around people that breastfeed I can understand your opinion... BUT breastfeeding has been around forever and that is how all babies were fed at one point. Women's bodies were created to make babies and feed them. Its an amazing thing!

There are lots of women that breastfeed but many that don't. Some don't because they don't want to, they think its too much work, or they're not willing to try. I encourage you to try! I think you will love the way you get to snuggle with your new baby and how it is amazing that you are providing everything they need.

Breastfeeding has many benefits other than it is best for the babies nutrition. 1. it is free! 2. no need to buy, wash, warm, or carry around bottles. 3. you can feed your baby anywhere if she is hungry 4. you will lose your baby fat quicker 5. if you need a break from the baby you can pump your milk and give her a bottle (and daddy can help with this too!) 6. night time feedings are 100 times easier if you just pick up the baby and feed her!

Give it a try - I think you'll love it once you see how great it is. And don't just try once... at least try for a couple weeks.

Answer 2

I know how you feel. Before I had children I always said breastfeeding was NOT for me. But when I had my first (son) I decided to at least give it a shot. I am so glad I did!! I have 3 boys now, all of them breastfed. Anyway, the last time I was pregnant, I was apprehensive about nursing if I had a girl. For some reason it seemed a little weird, even though I had nursed boys...not quite sure why. So no, you are not alone!

Good luck, and I hope you give breastfeeding a chance too!!

Answer 3

i don't know what the percentage of women breast feeding is but i do know that it is the best option for your baby. I can't say that i ever had any hesitations about breast feeding, i just knew that i wanted to do it and no i don't think it should make you feel perverted. It is completely natural and i am happy to do it any where, any time. I don't care what other people think.

Answer 4

It's our society. I promise, once you have that little one in your arms and she is rooting at your breast, you will know that theres nothing perverted about giving your child the best thing possible.

As for how many nurse? Too few! I think about 75-80% start off in the hospital and by a month old its down to 50-60%. By a year its less than 20%. Really, really sad numbers.

The CDC has all this info... just do a search on thier site.

Answer 5

You're not alone, even thought I have never felt like this. Attend a La Leche League meeting so you can see mothers nursing their babies. You will see what a neat relationship it is, and you will see that breastfeeding is not at all sexual. I breastfeed my 18 month old, but very few women in the US do breastfeed long-term. Too bad. I've worked in public schools, and more breastfeeding would help this country!

Answer 6

Congrats on your little girl on the way! 70% of women in the U.S. try breastfeeding. This is way up from even 20 years ago. I never thought the idea was perverted, nor did my husband, but he wouldn't even touch my breasts while I was nursing. I think he felt like they were "off limits" or something, even though I tried to tell him otherwise. And if you do decide not to breastfeed, don't feel guilty about it, it's your body and your life.

Answer 7

It's completely natural and trust me there's nothing more beautiful than the love your baby feels after he breastfeeds. My son is three 1/2 months old and very healthy. I must say it is very difficult in the beginning but after a while it gets so much easier, and actually less time consuming than bottle-feeding IMO. Although there is nothing wrong with formula feeding, the bond you share with your baby is like nothing else. It's worth it to try. After a while you will see that there is nothing seual about it. Good Luck!

Answer 8

I have read that nursing is a pleasurable experience physically and the reason why is that it is nature's way of insuring that a mother would be encouraged to nurse her baby initially. Obviously there are intellectual reasons why people are motivated to do it, but "back in the day in the early history of people" it was built in as a survival mechanism.

Don't feel ashamed, nervous, or weird.

At some hospitals they have nursing coaches/counselors that can answer your questions about it too for when the first time comes.

Here is a study on breastfeeding if you want statistics

http://mchb.hrsa.gov/pages/page_52.htm

Answer 9

Think about it...humans are the only mammals who use their breasts for a sexual purpose as well as feeding their young. So like you said it is very natural.
I think that the percentage of woman who breastfeed is on the rise. I think there was a time (not long ago) when woman got away from breastfeeding, but I think that it is coming back as we learn more and more about the advantages of breastfeeding.

Answer 10

I have to admit I felt the same way with my first child, and no I didn't breast feed her,,, I think you have to do what makes you comfortable,, I now have three children and I breastfed both of them, for me I was young when I had my first child so maybe age has something to do with it.... Just do what your comfortable doing,,, or you could pump your milk and give your baby it in a bottle that way you will save a ton of money and she will get breast milk... good luck with your little girl